PhD Excellence Program visits Nestlé Research

Nestlé Research team comprises around 700 staff, including 300 scientists working across all product categories, from food safety, nutrition and health research to product development and packaging.

Nestlé has a long-standing relationship with EPFL including hosting some of their research institutes at EPFL Innovation Park where they work on innovative solution models, such as biodegradable packaging (BioPack), the development of hardware/software platforms for beverage systems, and collaboration in research on cellular nutrition and brain health.

Organized in collaboration with Nestlé’s Academic Alliances team, represented by Christoph Hartmann and Denise Mitrano, the visit combined technical exploration, career discussions, and an open dialogue between candidates and Nestlé researchers, offering doctoral candidates firsthand insights into how scientific research is translated into impactful innovation on a global scale.

Participants were greeted by Ryan Carvalho, Head of Nestlé Research, who joined the group for an informal coffee, allowing PhD candidates to engage directly with Nestlé’s top scientific leader.

The program included an overview of Nestlé Research, PhD candidates’ presentations, and guided tours through several key facilities: the Institute of Food Safety and Analytical Sciences, the Pilot Plant, the Clinical Research Unit, and the Institute of Packaging Sciences. The day concluded with an interactive session on career paths in industry in general and at Nestlé specifically.

An engaging part of the day featured 10 short presentations by the doctoral candidates, who introduced their research topics to both their peers and the Nestlé hosts. This exchange fostered cross-disciplinary dialogue and incited reflection on how their work relates to real-world challenges.

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. For many, the visit reshaped preconceptions about industrial research and offered a broader perspective on career possibilities beyond academia.

“The visit offered a rare and valuable glimpse into how research is applied and scaled in an industrial context.” said Ekansh Sareen (EDEE)

Witnessing firsthand how industry integrates neuroscience and nutrition to assess product impact was both inspiring and eye-opening. It highlighted the depth of scientific inquiry that underpins product development and shifted my perspective on how my research could be applied beyond academia.

PhD candidate Fariza Sabit (EDEY) echoed this sentiment, describing the experience as one of the highlights of her doctoral journey:

As researchers, we often spend years deeply immersed in a highly specific topic, and it’s easy to lose sight of the broader context. This visit was a powerful reminder of the vast landscape of science and its real-world applications, it felt like stepping back to see the bigger picture, and it was genuinely inspiring. It gave me a new perspective on industry, where rigorous research and creativity meet practical needs.

Beyond the lab tours and technical insights, many participants appreciated the transparency and openness of Nestlé researchers during the discussions, especially when tackling tough questions. The session on career development also sparked interest:

“It was great to see how closely industry and research are connected. I’d always thought the natural path after a PhD was postdoc and academia, but this visit showed me there’s so much exciting research happening in industry too. For curious minds, it’s reassuring to see that impactful, innovative work isn’t limited to academic settings.” noted one PhD candidate in the post-visit survey.

The visit also highlighted the breadth of scientific disciplines at Nestlé, from microbiology to material sciences, and the dynamic, interdisciplinary nature of industrial research. The feedback we received showed that candidates left with a clearer vision of how their own academic work could have tangible impact in sectors like food, health, and sustainability.

We are sincerely grateful to Nestlé Research for the warm welcome, the in-depth program, and their openness in engaging with our doctoral candidates.

Special thanks go to Christoph Hartmann and Denise Mitrano for their efforts in making the day so enriching. We are equally grateful to the donors of the PhD Excellence Program, whose support makes such opportunities possible.

We aspire to continue offering such exposure to doctoral candidates in the PhD Excellence Program, helping young researchers discover the many paths their careers can take.